Miscellaneous Poem s. 53

Taught all by Story, there was no Defence,

But they must change their Faith, or change their Prince,Who would not here the like Extreams prevent,

And settle Things by Aid of Parliament ?

Thou only- -Court presiding at the Helm,

Which mak'st all others useful to the Realm ;

Inferior J udges trembling to decreeWhat may hereafter'be condemn’d by thee :

The Chancellor’s and ill Statesman's only Dread,

For it is thou alone can reach their Head.

By thee fell Wolsey> and false Clarendon,Abandon’d by their Kings, but here undone ;.

Both over-whelm’d for daring to remove,

Or stem the Torrent of their Master's Love:

The one fair Bullen to his Prince deny’d;

The other made lov’d Stuart, Richmond’s Pride, CAnd with the Royal Blood for ever, mingled Hyde. )To their own Ruin can all Men agree,

And none the Precipice but Courtiers fee ?

Courtiers, who importune the Sovereign,

To pardon Robbers, Cut-throats, for their Gain ;

Who live on Ideots, Lunaticks, Forfeits, Fines,,

And cannot thrive but when the Nation pines.Unhappy we, if rul’d by such, whose RentConsists in Breaches of the Government.

Some few there are with great Estates indeed,

Yet labour with imaginary Need :

Strange fort of Fools, who, for one Pension raore,-Enflave themselves, and all they had before.

Others, with Titles and new Earldoms caught.

Would give up all for. which the Barons fought:They’re equally unfit for Government,

Who nothing have, or nothing will content.

Who bid thee in Achitophel’s vile Name,

Old David’s Errors and his Faults proclaim?

Or fay. Plots True or False are needful Things,

To set up Commonvjealtbs, and pull down Kings ?

That-